Being multi-talented: Balancing passion, well-being

TALENTED people are often related to those who can sing, dance, draw, and paint, among other art-related skills. Some say it’s inborn while others learn from self-immersion or mentoring. Whatever talent or however way one hones this talent, there are others that have it all.

Multi-talented individuals are those who can do it all. And for them, it’s not just a skill, but a passion. Talent starts as a pastime until it turns into something one makes time for. With this multitude of abilities, it somehow becomes a form of self-care. 

The unwinding feature of singing, dancing, drawing, or painting becomes therapeutic. It can be an activity that relaxes the mind, body, and soul. School-life balance has become challenging for one student, but they still keep up with their multi-talented gift.

Unfolding “multi-talentedness”

At the age of 20, college student Myka Gianne Reyes has already dove into many forms of art. Performing arts, visual arts, and textile arts are what would broadly categorize her fields of experience.

Elementary was the time when the world of singing and dancing opened up to Myka. Through “show your talent” she was prompted to join the church choir. Later on in high school, she joined a street dancing competition in which they would champion against other schools.

In school, Myka learned from a classmate how to play the guitar. Knowing the basic chords, she slowly became skilled and even created her song. With an interest in playing instruments, she was gifted a melodica and a ukulele which she kept self-learning.

Besides voice, moves, and music, embroidery is one of Myka’s favorite pastimes. It was during the pandemic when she felt bored and decided to pick up a needle and a piece of cloth. After purchasing an embroidery hoop, her interest in the craft set off. 

But differing from other talents, sewing already ran in their family. 

“Noong bata ako nakikita ko na sila lola na manahi tas [tapos] iyon, nainspire lang ako,” Myka shared.

Crochet, on the other hand, was a random activity, as Myka was browsing through an online shopping platform and then saw a yarn and a hook. Afterward, she watched a video tutorial and never expected to create three layers of double crochet. 

Inspired by watching a film, Myka also developed an interest in painting. She admits to being an amateur but would like to improve on it.

Purely, everything Myka did was out of curiosity. This curiosity pushed her to teach herself how to garner these skills and improve on them. She would refer online for references and would create her own version of these art pieces.

Comically, she would say that when she’s gotten bored of one talent, she’d jump to another. 

Self-consistency and self-confidence

Like any other skill, practice makes perfect. It takes time to improve from good to great. And having multi-talent calls for substantial time for greatness.

For Myka, simply spare time is all she needs to pay attention to her talents. During these times, she also strives to learn different crochet patterns for her business. And commissions would urge her to get back to it.

A self-proclaimed multi-tasker, she avoids wasting time on doing nothing. When household chores and homework are done, she goes right into making herself busy. 

But besides being a way to kill time and learn a new skill, Myka has come to consider these as a form of self-care. 

“For me, self care talaga siya kase simula nung na-rerecognize na ng mga tao yung gawa, ko parang tumaas talaga yung self confidence ko,” she said.

She initially kept in mind to enjoy her arts and crafts, until these eventually made others happy and appreciative. From the value and regard of others, Myka realized that her self-confidence grew more and more.

“Tapos kapag may umo-order sakin, masaya, kase may nakaka-appreciate pala ng art ko,” she said.

The future of talent

Talent can go a long way. It’s how the most sought-after singers, dancers, painters, and artists are recognized. But for a third-year college student in the 21st century, it can go to a different path.

Time management is a prime skill Myka believes to have developed from being multi-talented. She doesn’t allow any time to go to waste and thinks that she will carry this attitude until her career. Productivity has become her hobby and habit.

Personally, opening up an embroidery and crochet business that’s commission-based has become a way for her to feel happiness and self-growth. While she is proud of her earnings, Myka is also heart-warmed by the compliments and joy of others.

In line with her business venture is developing an entrepreneurial mindset, where she would meticulously measure her capital and profit. Being exposed to expenses and earnings, she planned on owning a business while working in the future.

Staying with art

To keep up numerous talents would be a source of inspiration. For Myka, she would never forget her grandmother, who could create a dress out of a curtain. Now, she also crochets an article of clothing.

“Gusto ko din ipagpatuloy yung gusto niya na maging designer ako, kaso nga lang iba yung course ko. Pero baka someday, I will,” she said.

Having a course in literature and journalism, Myka would still like to pursue her and her grandmother’s dream. 

Her grandfather was also a motivation in the music as he liked to sing, and he would drum on their table and sing kundimans (traditional Filipino songs).  

With reports from Regine Dayao